Ring road nearly done

Work on the final section in Hamilton’s arterial ring road, linking Wairere Drive and Cobham Drive (State Highway 1) is underway.

When complete, Cobham Drive will be raised to allow the four-laned Wairere Drive to pass beneath it, accompanied by extended shared walking and cycling paths.

The new intersection and overbridge will have on and off ramp connections, and allowance will also be made for Wairere Drive to be extended in the future to the Southern Links roading network, supporting future growth to the south of the city.

Site work started on February 19 focusing on moving and replacing existing major services such as water pipes and power lines and installing new stormwater pipes. A number of trees and vegetation will also need to be removed, and the stream below Cobham Drive realigned to allow for the service relocation work and future roading construction.

City development manager Andrew Parsons says the enabling works will mean the site will be ready for construction late this year, subject to council approval as part of the 10-Year Plan.

“People can expect to see some big changes to how this area looks as we prepare the site for construction. We’re ensuring we only remove trees and vegetation that we have to, and will also be carrying out significant replanting through the project.”

Cr Dave Macpherson, chairman of the council’s Growth and Infrastructure Committee says it’s great to see work starting.

“This final stage of the Ring Road network is significant. It not only improves transport connections in our city for those travelling by vehicles, bikes and on foot, but also future-proofs our transport network for our fast-growing city.”

The work is being jointly funded by council and the NZ Transport Agency.

The Transport Agency’s Central North Island Regional Relationships Director Parekawhia McLean says the Transport Agency is pleased to be working with the council to start on the Wairere Drive-Cobham Drive link.

“This is an important piece of the puzzle in creating a transport network that supports the future growth of Hamilton.”

An information day is currently being planned to share the project with the community.